Fare hike hits transit riders at O'Hare

July 3, 2013

The Associated Press

Most transit passengers getting on Chicago's Blue Line at O'Hare International Airport will now be paying sharply higher fares of $5.

The fare was increased from $2.25 in January along with other price hikes affecting certain types of tickets throughout the rail system. However, the Chicago Transit Authority kept some exemptions in place for people getting on at O'Hare while it worked out a system to ensure employees working at the airport wouldn't be subject to the hike.

Those exemptions, which had allowed some non-airport employees to also avoid the higher fare, ended this week.

The fare increase is aimed at travelers arriving at the airport and heading toward downtown.

There are still a few ways to avoid paying the extra charge, including by using unlimited ride passes.